Security Guard Services in Iceland

How to Become a Security Guard in Iceland

In Iceland, a license from the National Commissioner of the Icelandic Police is required to provide security services commercially, and it is granted to an individual or a company under Act No. 58/1997. No separate state license is issued to individual security guards; instead, the license holder must obtain criminal record certificates for its employees, train them and issue them service ID cards.

Regulator: Ríkislögreglustjóri (National Commissioner of the Icelandic Police). Laws and regulations: Act No. 58/1997 on Security Services (Lög um öryggisþjónustu); Regulation No. 340/1997 on Security Services (Reglugerð um öryggisþjónustu). island.is/en/licence-for-professional-security-services

Requirements

• No individual state license; the requirements apply through the license holder as employer
• Before starting work, an employee must give the license holder a criminal record certificate and other documents on suitability, and a new criminal record certificate every two years, or more often if there is reason to
• The license holder must provide the training the job requires, including first aid training
• An employee must carry a service ID card from the license holder showing the license holder, the employee’s name and a photo
• An employee must wear a uniform or a clearly visible badge that does not resemble a police uniform

Application Steps

1. The license holder obtains the employee’s criminal record certificate and other documents needed to assess suitability
2. The license holder provides the necessary training, including first aid
3. The license holder issues a service ID card, which the employee carries on duty
4. The employee submits a new criminal record certificate every two years

Agency Licensing

An individual or company applies to the National Commissioner of the Icelandic Police by sending the application and supporting documents by email to leyfi@rls.is. The application must state the applicant’s name, national ID number (kennitala), place of business, which services will be provided and how, together with a declaration that the license conditions are met. Companies submit the names, ID numbers and criminal record certificates of the managing director and board members; individuals submit confirmation of legal residence and a criminal record certificate. A change of managing director or board must be reported within 14 days. The license is valid for 5 years for the activities specified. On request, the license holder must inform the National Commissioner of the Icelandic Police which employees perform security services.

A company license is valid for 5 years, and an application for renewal is subject to the same rules as a new application. Employees must submit a new criminal record certificate every two years.

Sources

• Island.is: License for professional security services
• Island.is: License holder responsibilities
• Island.is: Regulation No. 340/1997 on security services

Requirements change. Confirm current rules with the relevant regulator before applying. This summary is general information, not legal advice. Last reviewed November 2026.